East Lindsey District Council is involved with a range of different aspects of the natural environment and countryside, including Trees, Hedgerows, Environmental Partnership Projects, and Public Footpaths Diversions where affected by development. Click on the links contained within the following sections for more information.

Tree Protection

Trees are an important part of both rural and urban landscapes across the district, performing a multitude of functions, from providing shade, shelter, wildlife habitat for birds, bats, insects and small mammals, as well as having considerable aesthetic and amenity value. East Lindsey District Council is responsible for administering tree protection measures across the district. If you plan to undertake works to a tree/trees (pruning, lopping, felling etc), then it is important to check with the Council whether they might be protected, either by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO), Conservation Area or through other forms of protection. Details of current applications/notifications received by the Council for works to protected trees can also be viewed by following the 'TPO' and 'Conservation Area' links above. The Council will also provide general advice and guidance on the appropriate management of trees where this may be an amenity issue.

Tree Wardens

Tree Wardens are volunteers, appointed by Parish/Town Councils, who gather information about their local trees, and encourage local practical projects to do with trees and woods. East Lindsey District Council established the East Lindsey Tree Warden network in 2000 with help from The Tree Council who founded the scheme and co-ordinate it nationally. For more information on the East Lindsey Tree Warden Network or if you are an existing Warden, view the Tree Warden Scheme Webpage

District Council Owned Trees

The Council is responsible for the management of trees where they are on District Council owned land, such as within Public Parks and Gardens. For more information on the management of these trees and Public Open Spaces generally please visit the Parks and Gardens Homepage

Trees on the Highway Verge

Trees on roadside verges and other highways land are the responsibility of Lincolnshire County Council (LCC). For more information please visit the LCC Highways Webpages. The County Council also has grant schemes for tree planting and landscape conservation, a free trees scheme for Parish Councils, and offers replacement trees to landowners who have had to remove dangerous roadside trees. Further information on these schemes can be found on the LCC Conservation Grants Webpages

Countryside Hedgerows are protected by the Hedgerow Regulations 1997. Prior to removing any eligible hedgerow a Hedgerow Removal Notice must be submitted to, and processed by the District Council. For more information on the regulations and notification process download The Hedgerow Regulations: Your Questions Answered leaflet. If you plan to remove an eligible hedgerow please complete and submit a Hedgerow Removal Notice form. To view details of Hedgerow Removal Notifications received by the Council download the Register of Hedgerow Removal Notifications.

Garden hedges are not protected by this legislation but their management is sometimes controlled by other forms of protection such as Planning Conditions.

High Hedges

Where there is a neighbour dispute about a high evergreen/semi-evergreen hedge, the Council's Planning Enforcement Team deal with enquiries/applications under Part 8 of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003. For more information on the legislation and on making an application visit the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) High Hedges Webpages, view the ELDC Planning Enforcement Webpages, or contact the Planning Enforcement Team on 01507 601111

Partnership Projects

East Lindsey District Council is involved in a wide range of environmental and rural development projects within the district, with involvement spread across a number of Council departments. The projects are listed below with links to websites;

• Lincolnshire Wolds AONB Countryside Service, website & grant schemes
• Humber Estuary Management Scheme (and other associated Humber Estuary Groups) website
• Lincolnshire Limewoods Project - website 
• Lincolnshire Biodiversity Partnership (including Lincolnshire Biodiversity Action Plan [BAP], Lincolnshire Environmental Records Centre [LERC] & Lincolnshire Wildlife Sites [LWS] Review Panel) website
• Gibraltar Point National Nature Reserve JAC (part owned by ELDC) website
• Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marsh Project website
• Wash & North Norfolk Coast European Marine Site (EMS) Management Project website
• Wash Estuary Management Project website

Public Rights of Way

East Lindsey District Council is not responsible for Rights of Way as these are primarily the responsibility of Lincolnshire County Council (LCC). For more information on Rights of Way, including how to report a problem with a path, landowner advice, and how to apply to divert a footpath, visit the LCC Rights of Way Webpages.

Where planning permission is being sought, the District Council does however have powers to divert or extinguish a Right of Way where necessary to allow development to proceed. Therefore, any effect on Rights of Way is considered as part of the planning process. Contact the District Council to discuss any Rights of Way issues involving development on 01507 601111. Having done this, if you need to apply, the application forms and guidance notes can be downloaded below.

Footpath Diversion Order costs leaflet

Highways Act Footpath Application Form

Town & Country Planning Act Footpath Application Form

Other useful Rights of Way information can be found on the following links; Ramblers Association, Open Spaces Society, Natural England